The Gillingham Supporters Club have criticised stewarding, the club’s failure to respond to emails and a minority of Vale fans after disorder on the final game of the season.
With Vale celebrating promotion, the decision was made to segregate the Bycars stand but on the final whistle some Vale fans in that section broke through to approach and threaten the away fans.
The Gillingham Supporters Club raises numerous important points for Port Vale FC to address:
- They acknowledge it was a “tiny minority” of Vale supporters
- It points out that there were repeated attempts “from the outset” of Vale fans attempting to confront them
- It says stewards steered offenders back to their seats rather than ejecting them
- There was “clear intent to cause violence” by some individuals
- A “key concern was the stewarding”
- “It is clear that the violence was initiated by Port Vale supporters and that the situation was exacerbated by the inadequate stewarding and poor crowd management.”
- It sent a detailed email (below) describing incidents and offenders and including video footage
- Disappointingly, it says safety officers at Port Vale have not replied to the email or a follow-up
An open letter (email) from the Supporters Club says stewarding was lax and that Vale have not answered emails sent after the incident. The Supporters Club says it sent emails to two safety officers at the club and “not yet received a response” despite the Supporters Club following up on their original email. This reflects very poorly on the Valiants. There are issues that Port Vale will now need to address to try and ensure the club can improve their practices.
The open letter is reproduced in full below:
Dear Sir / Madam,
We, Gillingham FC Supporters’ Club, are writing to formally raise a complaint regarding the serious incidents witnessed at the conclusion of the recent match between Port Vale FC and Gillingham FC. A number of fans, seated near the area separating the home and away fans, have emailed us regarding the troubling behaviour from a number of Port Vale supporters throughout the game.
From the outset, there were repeated attempts by some home fans to provoke Gillingham supporters, including offensive gestures such as Nazi salutes and threatening behaviour. One individual in a blue t-shirt was particularly disruptive—although stewards briefly removed him, he was inexplicably allowed back into the stand and continued his behaviour.
Another Port Vale fan, identifiable by his shoulder-length grey hair, repeatedly approached the barriers separating the fans, shaking them violently and shouting abuse. Despite his aggression, stewards only asked him to return to his seat and failed to intervene more decisively.
The situation escalated dangerously at full-time. While Gillingham fans were applauding our players, a group of Port Vale fans climbed over the segregation area and entered the away end. They acted with clear intent to cause violence—throwing barriers, physically attacking supporters, and creating a scene of chaos and fear. One young Gillingham supporter was left in tears and had to be escorted away, while another Gillingham fan sustained injuries during the incident. One individual was seen throwing a heavy metal barrier at Gillingham fans—not just pushing it, but launching it through the air. Another fan had the metal fence thrown at him. These were not isolated actions but part of a coordinated surge from a group of home fans who appeared to attend the match intent on causing trouble.
A key concern was the failure in stewarding. At full-time, many stewards left their positions to attempt to prevent a pitch incursion, leaving the away section exposed. This lapse in judgement allowed Port Vale fans to breach the segregation and confront away supporters unchallenged. The fact that the stewards only returned once the violence had already erupted is deeply troubling. Several witnesses have also questioned why the disruptive fan in the pale blue jacket—who was involved in incidents throughout the match—was not removed much earlier, particularly given his apparent role in throwing the barrier.
While a small number of Gillingham fans may have reacted in the moment, it is clear that the violence was initiated by Port Vale supporters and that the situation was exacerbated by the inadequate stewarding and poor crowd management on the day.
Several Gillingham supporters, all with families enjoying the final game of the season, have informed us that this was the first time they have ever felt genuinely unsafe at a football match. It is unacceptable that visiting fans—many of them families with children—were put in this position. We believe Port Vale Football Club must urgently investigate what went wrong, take disciplinary action against the individuals involved, and review its stewarding protocols to ensure the safety of all fans in the future, especially when the away end is being used to also house “home” supporters.
We realise this is a small minority of Port Vale supporters and congratulate you on promotion to League One.
We have included links to three videos of the incidents, which we have been provided with, two from Port Vale supporters who told us the behaviour was “disgusting” and “like many Vale fans I was appalled to see these scenes and hope those responsible are identified and banned by the club.”
Video Links Provided
I am happy to provide further information if needed and sincerely hope you take this matter seriously.
Yours faithfully,
Neil Klee Chairman – Gillingham FC Supporters’ Club
OVF Comment
‘Why are you publishing this piece from a Gillingham perspective on a Port Vale website?’ you may ask. Well, OVF feels that as a long-standing fans website it’s our responsibility to do so. It’s clear that Vale’s stewarding were lacking for this game and Gillingham fans have been let down both in terms of the stewarding and the club’s response. We want the club to learn from this and become better as a result.
No supporters, regardless of what club they support should be subject to violence, threats and bad behaviour at Vale Park stadium. However, while such things are undertaken by a minority of Vale fans, if appropriate action is not taken against culprits (both on the day and after the game) then the club gives the impression of “sweeping things under the carpet”. By not responding to serious allegations, it looks like they are not being taken seriously and in that case it’s entirely possible that these incidents will continue to happen.
OVF is very sorry to heat of the distress caused to Gillingham fans by some so-called Vale fans. We’d like to ensure Gills fans that these people do not represent the values of our club and the vast majority of Port Vale supporters are decent human beings. We hope that the next time you visit Burslem it will be a less distressing occasion.
Finally, OVF would ask Port Vale FC to address these concerns as a high priority. We have become a better club under the ownership of the Shanahans but it is clear we still have some way to go. Let’s respond, listen and learn from these incidents. Responding to the Supporters Club’s emails would be a good start.
Rob Fielding – editor, onevalefan.co.uk
No mention of Police presence on the day, or CCTV usage to identify the alleged culprits. An embarrassing incident for Port Vale club and all decent supporters.
Disappointing lack of response from the club, but what really irks is the morons that have associated themselves with our club, Carol & Kevin have made great strides to make the club family friendly, arranged extra seats for supporters, only to have our promotion days spoiled by a handful of morons….. many moons ago I brought my 2 children to watch the Vale Stoke derby, (1-1, Lee Mills last minute equaliser) I didn’t bring them for a long time afterwards due to the behaviour of both sets of fans….. I really though we had moved on
There was police presence on the day, towards the end of the game they walked along the perimeter of the pitch in front of the Railway Paddock towards the Bycars End. Where is the wonderful Mr Hancock AGAIN ? Since this gentleman replaced Mr Garlick, Port Vale is run more like North Korea and you’ve more chance of contacting the men in black .
I’ve got video of the incident from my seat in the lorne street. The stewards were overwhelmed by the amount of vale fans attacking the gillingham fans, it was a concerted push from the top to the bottom of the block. It appeared to be preplanned or the end was full of opportunists who as a club we must deal with. Sadly this game was targeted it appears by troublemakers. Vales planning was clearly intended to stop a pitch invasion which it didn’t, I have seen and witnessed lax treatment by stewards in the past. It needs to be easier for the club to eject.
I am a Gills Fan who was at the game but left a little early so didn’t see this.
We have since received a reply from the PVFC Safety Officer, which is available on the GFCSC website.
Key Points:
Port Vale Reply
We would like to thank Wayne Jones, the Port Vale Policing and Safety Consultant, who has replied to our email and addressed the concerns raised. He stated:-
A group of Port Vale fans removed segregation netting and approached stewards and Gillingham supporters in the Bycars Stand.
CCTV footage, social media clips, and body worn video cameras were used to identify and sanction the individuals involved.
The club apologised for the delay in responding to the email and expressed disappointment and embarrassment over the incident.
The club and the police have identified a significant number of supporters involved in the incidents.
The club initiated an investigation immediately and will continue it until all those involved are identified.
The club is willing to share investigation updates with the Gillingham FC Supporters’ Club to update all supporters.